Star Witness - By Mallory Kane Page 0,12
talked to her over the past three months since he’d been appointed to the case, she’d been determined and angry about her grandfather’s murder. Not once had he seen even the hint of a tear.
“Okay,” she said, straightening. “I’ll do whatever I have to.”
He was absolutely sure that was true. The spark in her golden brown eyes spoke of the kind of person she was. If she wanted something, she went after it. She didn’t sit back and wait. It wasn’t in her nature.
“Look at the bright side. It’s possible the trial could even be over in a few days.”
She eyed him narrowly. “You don’t really believe that, do you?”
He shrugged, being truthful. “No one knows anything for sure until it starts. But I can promise you this. Until the trial is over and Yeoman is in prison, you are in danger and it’s my responsibility to keep you safe.”
“Thank you,” Dani said grudgingly.
“Have you heard who defense counsel is? Felix Drury.”
“Jury Drury? I’ve heard he’s been known to list dozens of potential witnesses on his intent-to-call list.” Drury was one of the best-known defense attorneys in Orleans Parish. He was known for his ruthlessness, cleverness and charm. He’d defended some very famous and very infamous people.
Harte nodded. “He’s a shark.”
“Can you limit the number of witnesses he can call?”
“There’s not much case law on limiting the number of witnesses,” Harte said. “All I can do is discredit them or object if he tries to parade too many character witnesses in front of the jury. Of course, even if he doesn’t bombard us with witnesses, even if he rests early, the jury could take forever to deliberate.”
“I thought you were confident,” she said, frowning.
“I am fairly confident, but there are problems. You didn’t actually see the men, and you’re the only witness to what they said. As you know, that can be construed as hearsay. Chester Kirkle is wavering. I think he’ll roll on Yeoman. Until he signs on the dotted line, he’s a wild card. So it very well may come down to your veracity versus Yeoman’s reputation.”
“Why is that even a question? He’s a drug dealer and I’m a public defender.”
“He owns twenty-three Hasty Mart convenience stores in the New Orleans area. On paper, he’s a fine, upstanding businessman who made a couple of mistakes in his youth. He’s known for his substantial political contributions as well as community support. And he’s never been arrested as an adult,” Harte said.
“Oh my gosh, the way you’re talking, he sounds a lot more like a model citizen than a thug. We’ve probably already lost.”
“Not if I can help it. I’ve got some feelers out about his connection with Stamps and Paul Guillame.”
Dani groaned as she rose to put her mug in the sink. “So the trial could last from one day to forever. Please don’t make me stay locked up until the trial is over. Why can’t the police officers babysit me here?”
Harte stood too. He reached around her to set his mug down, and immediately regretted it. It put his nose way too close to her hair, which smelled like strawberries and sunshine. He backed up. “You know the answer to that,” he said, his voice a bit husky from reaction.
“They know where I live,” Dani responded, hoping the flutter in her pulse wasn’t evident in her voice. Thank goodness he’d backed away. He’d been way too close to her as he set his mug in the sink. His arm brushing hers along with his warm breath against her hair had sent a thrill through her, a thrill she didn’t welcome. She thought she’d gotten over this little crush, or whatever it was. After all, even though she’d been wildly attracted to him from the first moment she’d met him as opposing counsel, she’d quickly seen how pompous and arrogant he was, with his custom suits and his designer briefcase.
She turned toward him, forcing her mind back to the problem at hand. “How long do I have to get ready?”
“Go pack. I’ll wash the mugs and the coffeepot. You can call the newspaper and the post office from the B-and-B.”
“This is so inconvenient,” she whined as she turned on her heel.
“Not as inconvenient as getting yourself killed,” Harte shot after her.
* * *
TWO HOURS LATER Dani pulled the crisscross strap of her purse off over her head and tossed it onto the white bedspread patterned with roses and lovebirds as Harte rolled her suitcase into the room. The entire